Page 33 of Rebooting Conor Flynn

NOELLE

The tears dripped through my fingers, and I think I cried out a contact.

Shanice, my new best friend, handed me another tissue. “I don’t get it, Noelle. Conor and Ashley are supposed to be into each other. That’s your whole PR scheme, isn’t it? What were the questions before the whole lip lock thing? Did he just walk up and lay one on her?”

“No.” I blew my nose and crumpled the tissue in my hand. After watching Conor and Ashley kiss, I had to scurry away from the press conference before the tears started flowing. I barged into this trailer, not noticing Shanice crouched on the floor unplugging her makeup mirror and curling iron, and I dissolved into wracking sobs. I don’t know why it hit me like that.

Last night on the phone, I assured Ashley that Conor and I were talking business, and the planes were so loud, we had to get close to hear each other. Not that she gave a shit about Conor—she didn’t, but she also didn’t want people to think Conor was cheating on her with...the publicist.

When the reporter asked that question about the pictures, I knew it was trouble.

I turned to Shanice, whom I didn’t even know ten minutes ago, and plucked another tissue from her fingers. “Some fan posted pics of me and Conor at In-N-Out yesterday, and everyone got the wrong idea—including that reporter. When he asked Ashley about the pictures, I could tell she was about to go off. Even if the relationship is fake—nobody cheats on Ashley Bennett.”

“Wait. Didn’t that car guy cheat on her?”

“Nico Ferrari?” I rubbed my nose. “Yeah. That’s just it. Nico’s public hookups hurt her image. She’s not doing that again...and I don’t blame her.”

“I don’t either. So, Ashley was about to expose her relationship with Conor as a PR stunt, and Conor dipped in and saved the day. I don’t know what you’re crying about, girl. He just rescued your whole PR campaign.”

I hiccupped and covered my mouth. “I guess you’re right. He sort of did it before, at the AM LA appearance.”

“He saved your shit twice, and you’re in here bawling your eyes out. Makes no sense to me.” Shanice rolled her eyes and slumped back in her chair. “I guess my role in life is to console lovers of boybanders.”

“Lovers?” I tossed a used tissue at the trash can and missed. “I never said anything about lovers...and who else are you consoling?”

“I’m not consoling Kayla Prescott anymore because she’s living with Sam Slater in England now in almost-wedded bliss, but there was a time...”

“You’re Kayla Prescott’s friend, right? Someone mentioned you’d be on the tour, but I didn’t make the connection.” I nibbled on my fingernail. “So, did you give her good advice?”

“Usually. Did she take it? Not often.” Shanice stretched her long legs and propped her red cowboy boots on the table. “Look, I know what it’s like to see an ex every day at work.”

“Y-you do?”

Shanice’s mouth tightened briefly. “My ex Tomo Tanaka is one of the backup dancers on this tour. We met on the set of an awards show, but our work got in the way of the relationship. I had no idea he was working this tour. It’s not easy watching him bump and grind with the other dancers—even though I’m so over him.”

“At least you don’t have to watch him in a fake relationship.”

“A real one would be much worse, so I suggest you get your shit together and be happy that Conor is so eager to support you and your lame PR stunt.”

“I guess you’re right. I mean, I’m not even in love with him anymore. Don’t know if I ever was.”

Shanice held up her hands. “Save that bullshit for someone who has her head up her ass—and that’s not me.”

“Thanks for listening and...consoling. If you ever need to vent about Tomo, I’m your girl.” I patted my chest.

“Got it.” Shanice got up and stretched. Then she grabbed her tools of the trade and picked her way to the door through the small space.

“Shanice?”

She stopped with her hand on the handle. “Yeah?”

“Which one is Tomo?”

“The hottie with the long black hair and tattoos.”

I nodded and smiled, but the smile dropped from my face as soon as the door slammed behind her. Of course, I’d noticed Tomo...and so had Ashley Bennett.

It might be my turn to comfort Shanice sooner than she realized.